Sonnen said he would like to fight in Brazil (Photo: Luiz Pires Dias/UFC)
The first and long-awaited fight between Wanderlei Silva e Chael Sonnen It hasn't even happened yet, but the American has already started planning the rematch. With a fight scheduled against 'Crazy Dog' for Bellator 180, on June 24, in New York (USA), Sonnen admitted that he would like to perform on Brazilian soil, preferably in a second encounter against Wand, his declared enemy.
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"Yes it would be great. I would go to Brazil to face anyone. (…) It would be incredible. I would love to face him sometimes. They need to understand that I have a moral obligation to beat up a lot of guys. I thought I had already accomplished my goals, that I was transitioning back to just being a fan of the sport, which I was before my career started. I was following that, but nowadays these guys are so cowardly… I watch a sport of fake tough guys, one after another. Some of them don't make weight. Others are removed from cards because their arm hurts, because their shoulder hurts. I can't understand this. I have no idea what it's like to stop fighting for this. It would bring me shame, it's something I would never do. But I also come from an era of really tough guys, not these fake ones these days. And I don't like Wanderlei, I don't want to praise him, but he's a really tough guy. Sport today is full of these “martial artists”, I don’t even know what that means. But I see these guys in robes, going to the ring and talking about honor. I'm a cage fighter, and so is Wanderlei. There is a big difference”, declared Sonnen, in an interview with the website 'Combate.com'.
Known for his loudmouth style, Sonnen has always used provocations as a way to promote his fights. However, the story is different when it comes to Wanderlei. Honestly, the 'American Gangster' once again said that he doesn't like the Brazilian, and admitted that he goes 'crazy' with his rival.
"Yes. All struggles are personal. They say they shouldn't be personal, but that's ridiculous. I can't think of anything more personal than a one-on-one competition. It's a battle. And there's the fact that Wanderlei and I never got along. We always butt heads. On a personal level, he drives me crazy, and I drive him crazy. That's the way things are. So, yes, it is a personal struggle”, said Chael.
In the recent past, Sonnen stood out for the rivalry he created with another Brazilian: Anderson Silva, former UFC middleweight champion – North American was defeated by 'Spider' on two occasions, both for the 84kg belt. Asked if the former executioner was in decline, he came to the Brazilian's defense.
“No, I don’t think he’s finished. I also don't know if his last performances were bad. He fought against Daniel Cormier, he wouldn't win that fight, no one would. And it wasn't in his weight class. When he returned to his category, he won. He just won Derek Brunson. No, no, no, he’s not finished,” said the fighter.
At 39 years old, Sonnen has already had one fight for Bellator: he was submitted by Tito Ortiz in issue 170, in January this year. In total, Chael has 28 wins, 15 losses and one draw on his record.
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